Park Programs Specialist - Volunteer and Community Development Coordinator

SALARY RANGE

$31.84 - $44.20

WORK ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

The Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator supports the mission of the park system by fostering relationships with community members, recruiting and managing volunteers, coordinating outreach efforts, and collaborating with municipal partners and organizations to promote environmental stewardship, park programming, and community involvement. This role also focuses on the management of the SAYOR (Swim at Your Own Risk) program, the development of strategic partnerships and sponsor ships to support park initiatives, ensuring safety protocols and training are in place for all volunteers and staff involved in park programs, and coordinating special events to engage the community.

Volunteer Program Management

Volunteer Recruitment, Training, and Coordination

• Develop and implement strategies to recruit individuals and groups for park system volunteer programs, including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, park clean-ups, and special events.
• Conduct orientation and training sessions to ensure volunteers understand safety protocols, park policies, and their role in supporting park operations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for volunteers, answering inquiries, assigning tasks, and addressing concerns promptly.
• Manage a volunteer database to track hours, projects, and contributions, generating reports for internal use and grant reporting.
• Develop and maintain Volunteer Position Descriptions for all opportunities and update as needed.

Volunteer Event Planning and Logistics

• In cooperation with NRPC. plan and execute volunteer workdays, ensuring all tools, materials, and safety supplies are prepared and available.
• Oversee logistics for annual park events, including Arbor Day, Earth Week, and other large-scale gatherings, coordinating volunteer participation and community involvement.
• Manage the Adopt-A-Trail and Adopt-A-Park programs, facilitating applications, updating signage, and maintaining communication with participants.
• Organize volunteer appreciation initiatives to retain and motivate volunteers.

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Represent the park system at community events to promote volunteer opportunities and engage with the public.
• Develop partnerships with schools, businesses, civic organizations, and nonprofits to support community-focused programs and volunteer initiatives.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create promotional materials, social media campaigns, and newsletters highlighting volunteer opportunities and success stories.
• Organize and execute educational workshops, field trips, and public engagement events to connect the community and team members with park conservation goals.
• Coordinate and lead presentations on park programs, environmental stewardship, and volunteer opportunities for diverse audiences.

Special Event Coordination

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of special park events, including seasonal celebrations, fundraisers, and public outreach events (e.g., Earth Week, Jan Boree, Candlelight Hikes, Apple Harvest Festival, and Science Fest).

• Collaborate with internal staff, external partners, and vendors to ensure all logistics are in place for successful events, including permits, supplies, and volunteer staffing.
• Coordinate the scheduling, registration, and volunteer staffing for events, ensuring that volunteers are adequately trained and prepared for their roles.
• Oversee the event day operations, ensuring activities run smoothly, troubleshoot issues, and provide guidance to volunteers and participants.
• Track attendance, revenue, and expenses related to events, and provide post-event reports with recommendations for future improvements.

SAYOR Program Management

• Manage the Swim at Your Own Risk (SAYOR) program at designated park beach locations, including Fox Brook, Menomonee, Naga-Waukee, Muskego, Minooka, and Mukwonago parks.
• Oversee SAYOR policies, procedures, signage, and supplies to ensure compliance with safety standards and park regulations.
• Monitor beach usage, respond to user concerns, and adjust staffing as needed to accommodate group reservations and beach traffic.
• Coordinate with Parks Guest Services for group beach reservations and monitor the reservation system to ensure smooth operations.
• Collaborate with staff to review and update the SAYOR policy annually, making improvements where necessary to enhance safety and user experience.
• Monitor water samples to ensure good water quality, communicate any alternate results out to staff to check for retesting.
  • Ensure online sample results are timely and accurately updated by Environmental Health.

Safety Training & Operations

• Develop and implement safety protocols for all volunteer and community engagement activities, ensuring compliance with park system safety standards.
• Provide regular safety training to volunteers, ensuring they understand park-specific hazards and know how to respond to emergencies.
• Organize and coordinate CPR, First Aid, AED, and Bloodborne Pathogens…